***3.5 ‘The Dog Always Knows’ Stars***
The title was what peaked my curiosity and had me wanting to know how it tied into the story, the cover didn’t hurt that curiosity in any way either, and found Honey Bee to be a fun and quick read filled with sweet moments and a need to see how things would work out for the MC’s and a rambunctious dog who likes to eat everything and anything he sees.
Bo’s world was turned upside down years ago and the guilt he feels over his part in it has caused him to shut down his heart and keep anything that even remotely looks like commitment, to humans and animals a like, a country mile away. I liked Bo, I really did, and could understand why he felt the way he did because my heart broke for all that had been involved, but damn could the man become an asshat of epic proportions. His saving grace was his heart. He tried so hard to pretend it didn’t exist, but it always got the best of him.
Sophia has up and moved to small town USA in part because she needed a change of scenery and the other in homage of her mother’s dream and finds it to be just what she needed. Sophia is that type of person who doesn’t just give lip service to the term ‘roll with the punches’ she really does, which I found quite refreshing. She’s not afraid to speak her mind and tell it like it is, but she doesn’t just do the verbal vomit thing either. She has tact and a good heart that makes her easy to be around.
Their journey to their HEA was an enjoyable, if bumpy, one and I really liked that it wasn’t Sophia who was the wishy washy one about what she wanted, that role went to Bo. His attraction to her overrode his need to not get involved with her on any level and it was both fun and frustrating to watch as he came to terms with it. But even as he struggled, when they were together, and wasn’t being an asshat, there was an ease as they interacted. And it would be remiss of me to not mention Triton’s, aka King Triton, role in how their relationship progressed because he really was a vital component in their journey.
The writing was engaging and the pace was good, but even though I did enjoy the book and kept turning the pages to find out what would happen next, I am left with this feeling like I needed more from the story, like something was missing that could have take it to the next level and I’ve trying to figure it out since finishing it. It’s quite frustrating that I am unable to pinpoint what the issue is because it isn’t as if I didn’t enjoy the book, I just feel like I needed a little more out of Bo and Sophia’s journey, so I’m simply putting it on the ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ shelf and letting it lie because if I don’t it’ll drive me nuts. So, if you’re looking for a fun, quick Sunday read take a chance on this one and find out how Honey Bee fits into the story and just what Triton does to help this romance along.
~ Copy provided by L. Woods PR ~